COMMENTARY: Recent attempts to fix ferries are encouraging, but public input needed for long-term solution

As we all know, for those of us in island communities, ferries are the most important highways we use. And like many islanders, I ride the ferry to both Seattle and Olympia frequently, experiencing the same frustration most people did this summer on the Fauntleroy, Southworth and Vashon runs — the Triangle Route.

In light of the problems we encountered this summer, I am very encouraged by the public process now underway to discuss the problems and try to resolve them. Outgoing ferries director Lynne Griffith, along with Washington State Ferries (WSF) staff, held three public meetings in October to address the issues. These meetings served as a first step in WSF’s effort to improve travel conditions on the Triangle Route, and the input received at the meetings, along with relevant data, will inform an ongoing community process to develop solutions by the summer of 2017.

Participation by ferry riders in our community is critical to making the safety and logistical improvements needed, so I was very pleased to see a lot of great feedback came out of the meetings. While I am disappointed to not have been available to attend the meetings, I have received and reviewed all the feedback you provided and have heard firsthand accounts of the discussions from my staff who were there. For example, a number of people from Vashon Island suggested a bypass lane on the Fauntleroy dock and improved ticketing procedures, while there were many questions from Southworth travelers about specific schedule changes. A large portion of Fauntleroy’s comments, meanwhile, dealt with neighborhood parking.

This cooperation between our community and that of Lynne Griffith and others at WSF is, I am confident, moving us in a better direction. I want to thank WSF staff and everyone who has taken the time to respond to their outreach efforts.

I also encourage your continued input. The more we participate, the better results we can expect. And under the leadership of Lynne Griffith, WSF has shown that they want to and are willing to partner with those of us who ride the boats. Although Griffith is retiring, WSF staff are moving ahead with the task force and improvements as planned.

If you would like to be considered to sit on the taskforce, you can submit your information by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/7PWMCRD. The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 27.

If you would like to be notified about updates regarding the task force’s work, the improvement project or to review the feedback from the meetings, please sign up for notifications by emailing WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov.

There is no doubt that until solutions are implemented, frustration will continue. But I am encouraged by all of those in our community who have seized the opportunity to participate in problem solving. I hope you’ll continue to stay in contact with your concerns and ideas, as all constituent communications that come through my office are reviewed by me, and directly impact policies in our region and state.

— Sharon Nelson is an islander and Washington State senator representing Washington’s 34th District.